The second quarter-final of Euro 2024 pits Portugal against France at 22:00 in Hamburg. The two teams will already know their opponent in the next phase. That would be Germany or Spain. This stream looks extremely strong and it is expected that the champion of Europe for 2024 will also be broadcast from it.
In the group stage, Portugal started with six points to secure first place and the surprise loss to Georgia was not important to the final standings. France, on the other hand, did not concede a defeat, but won only against Austria. The performance of the Roosters in defense was at a level, but the offensive actions pose serious questions to Deschamps.
Portugal continued wandering in front of the opponent's goal and in the round of 16 with Slovenia. In it, we witnessed an indescribable drama that sent the match into overtime. In the 105th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo missed from the penalty spot, and the second extension was for the Slovaks. They had a few good chances to pull off the win, the best of which was wasted by Benjamin Seško, who went untroubled alone against the keeper. And speaking of the goalkeeper, Diogo Costa was phenomenal in the ensuing penalties, saving three out of three.
France v Belgium was considered one of the classiest round of 16 encounters, but I'm not sure if we saw the high class of players in action. The match went to extra-time after both teams had just two shots on target, although they had a total of 26. However, the better performance of the Roosters was rewarded with an own goal from Vertonghen in the 85th minute, which followed after strike at Kolo Muani reserve.
The last meeting between the two teams was at the previous European Championship. The two teams finished 2-2 in the group stage, but three of the goals came from penalties. In 2016, the Portuguese won the final against this opponent after extra time, and this was their only victory in the rivalry. | BGNES
